Secured device portions

Abstract

The description relates to hinged devices, such as hinged computing devices. One example can include a first portion and a second portion that defines a channel. The example can also include a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the first portion and the second portion, the hinge assembly including a hinge arm that is fitted to the channel and retained in the channel by a state-transitionable material.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A device, comprising:
 a tablet and a kickstand rotatably secured by a hinge assembly; 
 the kickstand defining a flattened channel defined by an inwardly facing surface; 
 the hinge assembly comprising a flattened hinge arm positioned in the flattened channel and defining a corresponding outwardly facing surface, the inwardly facing surface and the outwardly facing surface collectively defining a feature that includes a void; and, 
 a state-transitionable material positioned in the void of the feature, wherein a shape of the state-transitionable material within the void mechanically blocks relative movement of the inwardly facing surface and the outwardly facing surface without a mechanical fastener between the flattened hinge arm and the kickstand and regardless of whether the state-transitionable material bonds to either the inwardly facing surface or the outwardly facing surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the inwardly facing surface defines a serrated pattern and the outwardly facing surface defines another serrated pattern. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the state-transitionable material mechanically blocks movement of the flattened hinge arm out of the channel without relying on adhesion. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the flattened hinge arm further defines a patterned surface that contributes to defining the feature and wherein the patterned surface is perpendicular to the outwardly facing surface. 
     
     
       5. A device, comprising:
 a first portion secured to a hinge assembly, the hinge assembly including a hinge arm; and, 
 a second portion defining a minor surface extending between opposing first and second major surfaces and having a channel formed through the minor surface, the channel having a width at the first major surface that is greater than another width of the channel measured at a point between the first major surface and the second major surface, the hinge arm is retained in the channel without mechanical fasteners by a rigid state-transitionable material positioned in a void of a feature collectively defined by the hinge arm and the second portion at the point, and a shape of the rigid state-transitionable material within the void mechanically blocking movement of the hinge arm in the channel. 
 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5 , wherein the rigid state-transitionable material is a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
       7. A device, comprising: a first portion; a second portion having upper and lower surfaces and defining a thickness between the upper and lower surfaces, the second portion defining a channel that is between the upper and lower surfaces; and, a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the first portion and the second portion, the hinge assembly including a flattened hinge arm having a height that is less than the thickness of the second portion, the flattened hinge arm fitted within the channel so that a surface of the flattened hinge arm is flush with the second surface and retained within the channel by a state-transitionable material positioned within a void between the flattened hinge arm and the second portion in the channel, the flattened hinge arm retained within the channel without mechanical fasteners. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the first portion comprises a tablet and the second portion comprises a kickstand. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the first portion includes a display and the second portion includes another display. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the channel is formed at the upper surface of the second portion. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the channel is formed within the second portion. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the channel extends from the upper surface of the second portion into the second portion for a uniform depth to a planar inner surface of the second portion. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 12 , wherein an inwardly-facing surface of the channel extending between the upper surface of the second portion and the planar inner surface includes a serrated pattern. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 13 , wherein the void is defined at least in part by the serrated pattern of the inwardly-facing surface of the channel extending between the upper surface of the second portion and the planar inner surface. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 13 , wherein the flattened hinge arm defines an outwardly-facing surface that includes a complementary serrated pattern positioned in a different plane than the serrated pattern, such that protrusions of the serrated pattern overlap other protrusions of the complementary serrated pattern. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 15 , wherein the void is defined at least in part by the serrated pattern and the complementary serrated pattern. 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 16 , wherein a shape of the state-transitionable material within the void mechanically blocks movement of the flattened hinge arm in the channel. 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 15 , wherein the flattened hinge arm defines a receptacle that retains the state-transitionable material before assembly into the channel. 
     
     
       19. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the flattened hinge arm defines the height between first and second major surfaces and the first and second major surfaces have different perimeters. 
     
     
       20. The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a conductor that can be energized to heat the state-transitionable material.